Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier?

[Sherry E]

I stayed at both PPH (refurbed rooms) and DLH (refurbed rooms) recently and while the rooms at DLH were very Disney-ish and "magical" my family and I actually preferred our experience at PPH. The CMs were much more friendly than the ones at DLH and very accomodating. DLH CM that checked us in was quite rude and did not look like she wanted to be there. I'm pretty sure she was ticked that we had arrived late and interrupted her gab session with her friend even though we had phoned earlier saying that we wouldn't be there until late evening.
I also found the walk from PPH to the DL gates to be much quicker than the walk from DLH. Somehow the walk across the street and through GCH seemed to be much faster and a lot more fun than the walk down DTD to DLH.

rowan1813 -

I know this is not the common opinion, but I really enjoy the walk from PPH to the parks! I'm glad to see that someone else didn't mind the walk either! First of all, it's not nearly as far away as many folks think it is. It seems like it is far on paper because it's across the street. But I love walking past the PCH Grill in the morning and seeing the characters waving through the windows at passersby, then cutting through the gorgeous GCH lobby (especially during the holiday season when Santa and the carolers are there and it's very festive), then walking through lively DTD to the parks' gates. It's just fun for me!

I stayed at PPH last Dec for the 1st time with my 3 yr old GD. I had booked a standard view room and was delighted with an upgrade at check-in to a California Adventure View room. Absolutely wonderful CM checked us in. My GD got a balloon and autographed picture of Tinker Bell (which is standard, but my GD felt so special).
We had rice crispie treats and also nightly turn downs were with chocolate coins and a towel animal. The CM's we incountered were all friendly and very helpful.

Haven't stayed at the DLH yet. Looking forward to trying it out in the future.

ciner-ellah -

The same thing happened to me! When did you stay at PPH last December? I was there from 12/12 - 12/15. Were you there during that time by any chance?

I was absolutely delighted to get a free holiday shopping bag at check-in and an upgrade to a park view. This was my first time ever being upgraded (without expecting it), and I couldn't get enough of my view! I got in the room in time to watch the sunrise and every time I was in the room - early morning, mid-day break or at the end of the evening - I was staring out the window, taking photos or watching the people milling about by the GCH or in DCA. I loved it!

(Although....they obviously forgot me when they were handing out the Rice Krispy treats, but that's okay. Maybe they figured since I had no kids with me I wouldn't want them. I want them!)

 

[vakamalua]

THANKS for all the great information! But, oh no, still more pros and cons for each hotel...

I think we're going to let the GC waitlist ride for three more weeks then book one (?) of the hotels, if available. DVC Guest Services indicated that they are big properties and probably will have availability for mid-September at two months out. Have to bank the remaining points by the end of July.

Keep the info coming!

 

[disneydenisel]

I stayed at PPH last Dec for the 1st time with my 3 yr old GD. I had booked a standard view room and was delighted with an upgrade at check-in to a California Adventure View room. Absolutely wonderful CM checked us in. My GD got a balloon and autographed picture of Tinker Bell (which is standard, but my GD felt so special).
We had rice crispie treats and also nightly turn downs were with chocolate coins and a towel animal. The CM's we incountered were all friendly and very helpful.

We were just there on Sunday...no turndown service, krispies, chocolates or animal towels . Do you have to request turndown service?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I stayed at Paradise Pier last summer and thought it was very nice. I loved how the lobby smelled like sun tan lotion to fit the theme. We got nightly turndown service without requesting it, plus chocolates and Mickey head Rice Krispie treats. I also got a few other surprises as it was my birthday trip. I really enjoyed my stay there.

If you can though, you might also want to look into Disneyland Hotel's new rooms. I've seen pics and they looked gorgeous!

 

[curiouslittleoyster]

We were just there on Sunday...no turndown service, krispies, chocolates or animal towels . Do you have to request turndown service?

We stayed there 4 nights on Concierge the last week of May/beginning of June and only received turndown service with chocolate coins on our last night there.
We did not request the service, but I have heard of other people receiving this without request. We also stayed there for 3 nights earlier this year and did not receive any turndown service or any treats at all during our stay. I think it may depend on housekeeping at the time.

 

[smile4stamps]

Hi! As Sherry Mentioned I have a few pics of the PPH in my newest Trip Report. I was just there in early June. I LOVED the PPH! The beds are AMAZING! Slept like babies! I will have more pics in the middle of my trip report as I took some more before we checked out but I won't have them posted for awhile.

I was there for my birthday but I did not get any Rice Crispie Treats I would have loved them! We did get nightly turndown service and the chocolates. The turn down consisted of turning the corner of the bedspread down and placing the chocolates on top. I think we received this 3 of the nights. the other 2 we were in teh room at the time they came to do it and I said it wasnt needed but I did take the chocolates

The first night we were there we had dinner at Goofy's kitchen and then walked to DL. That walk to me seemed longer than the walk through the GCH to the parks... could be just me though but I didn't mind the walk at all. The longest part of the walk to me seemed the part from the DL gates to the entrance to the GCH. After that the walk seemed short. It seemed tons shorter than the walk to the HoJo on Harbor!